Niemer Earns Third Straight BIG EAST Player of the Week Award

Sept. 27, 2010

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Senior outside hitter Stephanie Niemer (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry) was named BIG EAST Conference volleyball Player of the Week for the third straight time, the conference office announced Monday.

Niemer earns BIG EAST Player of the Week honors for the fifth time in her career after leading the Bearcats to a 3-0 record last week, including a 2-0 start in BIG EAST play. The senior helped Cincinnati to straight-set victories over Morehead State, Seton Hall, and Rutgers, averaging a conference-best 5.67 kills per set. Niemer started the week with an 18-kill, six-dig performance against Morehead State on Sept. 21. She registered a double-double with 20 kills and 10 digs in the BIG EAST opener against Seton Hall on Sept. 24. The Erlanger, Ky., native followed that with 13 kills, six digs, and three blocks against Rutgers on Sept. 26.

The three victories boosted Cincinnati from No. 25 to No. 22 in the latest AVCA Coaches' Poll. It is the highest ranking for a BIG EAST squad in the national poll since Nov. 5, 2007 when Louisville was ranked No. 17.